Diseases and Technologies

The Cure Is Now is a science & technology advocacy and research organization. Applying new technology to a variety of medical problems is our goal. One of our many programs is to develop, adapt and converge disparate and emerging technologies in brilliant and innovative ways that result in breakthrough medical solutions. We are not so bold as to think that we can solely tackle all of the diseases in the world, when thousands of such organizations have failed to do so collectively – it is precisely the opposite. We are the only medical research & advocacy organization with specific programs that are developing the technologies that other organizations will be able to utilize to achieve their individual missions. Just like small pox and polio were eradicated because of technological advancements, other diseases will eventually be eliminated too. Breakthrough technological opportunities are just now unfolding before us, and the next several years ahead will be the fulcrum where a fundamental paradigm-shift occurs and The Cure is Now will take advantage of this. This website offers clear, detailed and unambiguous information, including specifics on our plan and the details of programs that will be utilized to achieve the goal in our mission statement: the elimination of disease through technology. We Need The Cures, The Time Is Now, The Cure Is Now! Here is a partial list of emerging and advancing technologies that we believe, when combined and matured, are critical:

Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of dementia. It is a progressive disease that often results in memory loss and other diminished mental functions. The connections between brain cells deteriorates and eventually die. It is believed that the onset of Alzheimer’s is due to a combination of genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include: forgetfulness, confusion, memory loss; in particular short-term memory loss, difficulty remembering thoughts and organizing thoughts amongst other symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease. Alzheimer’s Disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. There are more than 5 million Americans living with the disease. 1 in 3 senior citizens die with this disease. It is expected to cost the nation $203 billion in 2013 alone, the number is only rising with an estimate cost of $1.2 trillion by 2050. This is why it is imperative that we find a cure for this disease.

Cancer:

Cancers starts as a result of abnormal cells growing out of control. Our bodies are made up of trillions of living cells. The normal body cells grow, divide and die in systematic time. Cancer occurs when cells in the body start to grow out of control. Instead of the cells dying, cancer cells continue to grow and form new and abnormal cells. The cells invade other tissue thus causing cancer cells. Cancer cells can develop as a result of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) reasons or environmental issues. Environmental factors are commonly cigarette smoking or sun exposure. There are more than 100 types of cancers; breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia to name a few. In most cases there are signs and symptoms that you have cancer. Commonly known signs of this deadly disease include fever, fast breathing, weight loss, fatigue, abnormal lung sound, pneumonia, weakness, aching and shortness of breath. Unfortunately these symptoms usually become prevalent when it is already to late to provide proper treatment. As cancer grows, it begins to push on nearby organs, blood vessels and nerves. For a lot of these cancers early detection is imperative, because once it has reached a critical stage, there is little or no cure for most of these diseases. Almost 2 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed per year. It is projected that roughly 580,350 Americans will die of cancer. That is almost 1,600 people a day. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, accounting for almost 1 in 4 deaths. 2 in every 3 people are diagnosed with cancer today.

Cardiovascular Disease:

Cardiovascular disease, also known as heart disease, refers to conditions that involves narrowed or blocked blood vessels that prevent your heart, brain or other parts of your body from receiving sufficient blood. These include coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems, heart infections and heart defects. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD); this often leads to heart attacks. Cardiovascular disease symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath and pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in your legs or arms. The aforementioned symptoms occur when blood vessels within the body are constricted. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. Over time, too much pressure in your arteries can make the walls thick and stiff restricting blood flow to your organs. Cardiovascular problems are commonly caused by unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking. 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. This disease alone costs United States $108.9 billion each year.

Cell and Tissue Transplant:

Human cells and tissues are intended for implantation, transplantation, or infusion or transfer into a human recipient. Such transplants available today include: bone, skin, corneas, ligament, tendons, dura mater, heart valve, hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, oocytes and semen. In recent years tissue and cell transplantation has inevitably seen a huge demand. Transplantation of these materials has been able to save lives. We currently have a shortage of cell and tissue; with the help of donors we are able to save peoples lives.

Cerebrovascular Disease:

Cerebrovascular Disease is a condition developed due to complications with the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. There are a number of Cerebrovascular Diseases: Stroke, Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Vascular Dementia. Stroke is where the blood supply to the brain is obstructed. Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) is a lack of blood supply – lack of oxygen to the brain. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage is where blood leaks out of the brain’s blood vessels. Vascular Dementia is where there are complications with blood circulation – the brain not receiving enough blood and oxygen. Symptoms of these diseases are: a person’s face has gone to one side (unable to smile or mouth and eyes are lopsided), unable to raise their arms due to numbness and weakness, slurred speech, high temperature (fever) and seizures. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Of the 700,000 people affected, 500,000 of these are first attacks and 200,000 and reoccurring. Approximately 129,500 people die of Stroke each year.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease also known as COPD is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. The 2 most common conditions are: Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. Emphysema develops when the air sacs (alveoli) are damaged in the lungs. Chronic Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways that carry air to your lungs. Signs of lung damage do not occur until there is substantial destruction done. Symptoms of the disease include: shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness of the chest, chronic coughing, blueness of the lips and fingernails, lack of energy and unintentional weight loss. It is estimated that approximately 15 million people are reported to having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Research has shown that 6.7% of women and 5.2% of men are likely to have COPD. Roughly 36.4% of people reported having COPD were former smokers, 38.7% continued to smoke and 43.7% had a history of Asthma.

Cri-Du-Chat Syndrome:

Cri-Du-Chat Syndrome is a rare condition that is cause by a problem with chromosome 5. This syndrome is a result of a break in chromosome 5, generally occurring when either the egg or sperm cell is developing. The syndrome’s name originates from the infant’s cry, which sounds like a high-pitched cat. People who have Cri-Du-Chat Syndrome have very distinctive features; small head, an usually round face, small chin, wide set eyes, folds of skin over there eyes and a small bridge of the nose. As children born with the conditon grow up, they experience heart defects, muscular or skeletal problems, hearing or sight problems and/or poor muscle tone. Those who are affected tend to have difficulty walking and talking. There is no cure for this condition, however children can go through therapy to assist them with their language skills and motor skills. In 80% of cases, the sperm cell is responsible for the chromosome break. It affects between 1 in 20,000 and 1 in 50,000 babies.

Degenerative Disc Disease:

Degenerative Disc disease (DDD) is the slow deterioration of the discs that are between the vertebrae in the spine. The discs in the spine act as a shock absorber for our body weight. Over time the discs wear out. Thus, this disease occurs in older people as part of the aging process. Symptoms include chronic lower back pain that spreads to the hip, buttocks or thighs and sporadic tingling or weakness in the knees, hands and fingers. There is no cure for this disease, however putting ice or heat to the affected area and using anti-inflammatory medicine can relieve the pain.

Down’s Syndrome:

Down’s Syndrome is a genetic disease that is developed as a result of an extra copy of chromosome 21. At the time of conception, the fetus inherits chromosomes from both parents: 23 from the father and 23 from the mother a total of 46 chromosomes. In Down’s Syndrome cases, the fetus gets an additional copy of chromosome 21, which results in a total of 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. The disease causes delays in the developments and physical features. Common traits of Down’s Syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, and upward slant to the eyes, just to name a few. Down’s Syndrome is the most common genetic condition, resulting in 1 in every 691 babies in the United States born with the disease. There are roughly 400,000 people in the United States that have Down’s Syndrome and 6,000 babies born with Down’s Syndrome every year in the United States alone.

Dyskeratosis Congenita:

Dyskeratosis Congenita is a bone marrow disorder. It is generally a genetic disease that is inherited. People who have this condition experience failure of bone marrow: the bones does not make enough of the white blood cells that the body needs. People with Dyskeratosis Congenita tend to develop other life-threatening diseases: Aplastic Anemia (occurs when bone marrow does not produce new blood cells), Myelodysplatic Syndrome and/or Leukemia (immature blood cells fail to develop normally). There are 3 main symptoms that help diagnose the disorder: a reddish, wart type rash on the face, neck and chest, white patches in the mouth and/or abnormally shaped fingernails and toenails. There is no cure for the disease, but a bone marrow transplant can possibly lengthen the lifespan of someone who suffers from the disorder. Though the statistics on the odds of a person being afflicted with such a disease is not known, it is estimated that Dyskeratosis Congenita affects 1 in 1 million people.

Fanconi Anemia:

Fanconi Anemia is a genetic blood disorder that eventually results in bone marrow failure. The disease prevents your bone marrow from producing enough new blood cells for your body to work normally. The condition causes bone marrow to make damaged blood cells, which could lead to other serious health issues like Leukemia and blood cancer. As the name suggests Fanconi Anemia is a type of Anemia, more particularly Aplastic Anemia. Anemia refers to the condition where the red blood cell count is considerably lower than normal. Aplastic Anemia is a disorder in which the bone marrow stops making the three normal types of blood cells: white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. A low white blood cell count causes your body to have difficulty fighting infectious disease. A low red blood cell count prevents the body tissue from getting enough oxygen. Without platelets, your body cannot clot normally. Any blood cell deficiencies can cause serious bleeding problems. Symptoms of the condition include: fatigue, dizziness, headaches, pale skin, chest pain, easy bruising and bleeding, tiny red or purple spots on the skin, bone defects and poor appetite. 95% of Fanconi Anemia cases can be attributed to genetic complications. The average lifespan for a person living with Fanconi Anemia is only roughly 29 years.

General Immunity:

The immune system is made up of cells, proteins, tissues and organs that work collectively to protect the body. It helps to defend the human body against infectious germs and microorganisms. The cells that protect the body are white blood cells or leukocytes. There are 2 sub-sections of leukocytes: phagocytes and lymphocytes. Phagocytes cells remove invading organisms. There are different cells that are considered phagocytes, the most common being neutrophil. Neutrophil cells primary concern is to fight bacteria. Lymphocytes cells act as a remembering cell: they recognize previous invading organisms and destroy them. There are 2 types of lymphocytes cells: B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes. B-lymphocytes search for the invading organisms whereas T-lymphocytes eliminate the invading organism. There are issues that occur when the immune system is not working correctly. Primary immunodeficiency disorders are: IgA Deficiency, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), DiGeorge Syndrome (Thymic Dyslasia), Chediak-Higashi Syndrome and Chronic Granulomatous. IgA Deficiency is the most common form. It is a result of deficient production of an immunoglobulin that is found mostly in saliva. People who have this disorder cannot produce enough antibodies thus they have allergies and more colds than the average person. Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) is a serious immune system disease where there is a lack of both B and T-lymphocytes, making it virtually impossible to fight off infectious diseases. DiGeorge Syndrome (Thymic Dyslasia) is a birth defect where a child is born without a thymus gland. Chediak-Higashi Syndrome and Chronic Granulomatous causes neutrophil cells to function abnormally. There are also secondary immunodeficiency’s such as HIV/AIDS and immunodeficiency’s caused by medication. .

HIV/AIDS:

HIV also known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus is one of the deadliest diseases in human history. HIV breaks down the immune system which protects our bodies against disease. A.I.D.S. stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It’s the most advanced stage of HIV. HIV eliminates a defense cell in the body called CD4 Helper Lymphocyte. The lymphocytes are part of the body’s immune system. As a result of HIV, the immune system becomes weak and people get serious infections that they otherwise would not have gotten. HIV is transmitted from an infected person through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. Approximately 40,000 men and women are infected with HIV in the United States every year . There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, however there is treatment and medication to help people living with this disease. Unfortunately, HIV/AIDS is an overwhelming problem in Africa, with roughly 33.4 million people living with HIV. 2.7 million new infections of HIV and 2 million deaths from AIDS occur in Africa annually.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis:

The cause for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is currently unknown. It is damaging or the scarring of the lung tissue. The scarring of the tissue in the lungs and between the air sac (alveoli) makes it difficult for oxygen to pass through to the bloodstream. It is believed that the condition is due to an inflammatory response to an unknown substance or injury. It is suggested that people who work around dust or fumes (farmers, hairdressers, metal workers) have a higher risk of developing the condition. Symptoms include: chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss. The inability of the lungs to deliver oxygen could cause heart attack, respiratory failure, stroke, blood clots in the lung, lung infection or lung cancer. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis affected 128,100 people in America with roughly 48,000 new cases every year. Approximately 40,000 people die each year as a result of the condition.

Liver Cirrhosis:

The liver is the largest solid organ in the body. It plays a vital role in our bodies. Some of the essential functions of the liver include: manufacturing blood proteins that aid against clotting, helping transport oxygen, storing excess nutrients, returning nutrients to the bloodstream, removing harmful substances in the bloodstream such as drugs and breaking down saturated fats. Liver Cirrhosis develops when healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, inevitably preventing the liver from functioning correctly. Some causes of Liver Cirrhosis include: alcohol abuse, fatty liver, Hepatitis C, as well as other things. Fatigue, loss of energy, poor appetite, weight loss, nausea, belly pain, easy bruising and/or abnormal bleeding are some symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis. Liver Cirrhosis is currently incurable with 31,000 deaths per year in the United States as a result of this disease.

Macular Degeneration:

Macular Degeneration is a chronic disease that results in central vision loss. This disease eradicates your sharp and central vision and the ability to see fine detail. The cause for this disease is unknown, however it has a tendency to affect people later in life. There are 2 types of macular degeneration: wet and dry. Wet Macular Degeneration happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and leak fluid or blood. Dry Macula Degeneration occurs when light sensitive cells break down in the macula. Symptoms include visual distortion, decline in central vision, blurry spots in field of vision, need for bright light when reading, difficulty recognizing faces and even hallucinations involving seeing phantom shapes or people. Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in adults aged 60 and older. 200,000 people are diagnosed with Macular Degeneration every year in the United States.

Muscular Dystrophy:

;Muscular Dystrophy refers a group of genetic diseases, where specific genes are missing information. This prevents them from making proteins that are necessary for healthy muscles. This inherited disease weakens the muscle fibers making them more susceptible to damage. The disease weakens muscles so much so that over time people lose their ability to walk, sit up and it can even shorten a person’s lifespan. This condition commonly occurs in boys with signs of Muscular Dystrophy at birth. Signs and symptoms seen in youth include: frequent falling, difficulty getting up, trouble running, jumping and/or learning disabilities. The onset of Muscular Dystrophy usually starts between the ages of 3-5 and the disease progresses rather rapidly. By the time the child is 12, he/she is unable to walk. It is estimated that 1 in every 3,500 to 5,000 boys are born with this condition, with 400-600 new cases reported every year in America.

Osteoarthritis:

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. The chronic disease occurs when the protective cartilage at the end of your bones starts to break down. The wearing down of the cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other. This eventually causes stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include being overweight or obese, aging, injured joints, genetics and muscle weakness. Symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain in the joints after movement, tenderness in the joints, and stiffness after a period of inactivity or loss of flexibility. There are treatment options such as: improving daily activity, exercise, weight control, therapy and medications, however there is nothing that can eliminate the disease in its entirety once you have been diagnosed with it. It is said that an estimated 27 million people in the United States live with Osteoarthritis.

Osteoporosis:

The causation of the bones to become thin, weak and fragile is known as Osteoporosis. Bones are considered a living tissue. These living tissues are constantly being absorbed and replaced. Osteoporosis develops when new bone tissue does not replace old bone tissue. This is a serious condition, in which a simple fall or mild stress like bending over can cause fractures or broken bones. Osteoporosis commonly occurs in the hips, wrist or spine. Signs of osteoporosis don’t become apparent until you have fractured or broken a bone. Factors such as aging, low body weight, taking certain medications, menopause and smoking attribute to the development of Osteoporosis. There is no cure for the condition, however there are treatments and preventive precautions that a person can take. Eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercise and not smoking help prevent this disease. Osteoporosis affects men and woman of all races, however there is a higher risk for white and Asian women who are going through menopause. Approximately 9 million Americans currently have Osteoporosis. Roughly 60% of adults aged 50 and older are at risk of breaking bones. It is suggested that 1 in 2 woman and 1 in 4 men aged 50 and older will break bones due to Osteoporosis.

Progeria:

Progeria is a genetic disorder that causes rapid growth in a child’s age from birth, for their first 2 years of life. It resembles normal human aging, however it occurs in babies. At 12 months visual symptoms are noticeable, such as: slow growth, hair loss, narrow or wrinkled face, baldness, short stature, large head, small jaw, dry and scaly skin, delay in teeth growth or complete obsolensce. The average life expectancy for a child born with Progeria is 13 years. They eventually die of heart problems or stroke. There is no cure for this disease. At this date there are 103 known cases of children living with Progeria in the United States.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disorder that affects the small joints in your hands and feet. This chronic disease causes pain, stiffness, swelling and loss of function in the joints. The cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is currently unknown. It is believed to be a result of environmental and genetic factors. For whatever reasons, the immune system, which regularly protects the body starts to attack the body’s own tissues, especially the synovium: a thin membrane that lines the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis is more common in women than in men, generally developing in people between the ages of 40 and 60. Approximately 1.3 million people in the United States have this disease. It affects almost 1% of the nation’s adult population.

Skin Aging:

Everyone is aware that over time our skin ages. The most visual signs of aging are wrinkles, aging spots, dryness and sagging skin. Changes in skin age can be linked to numerous factors: environment, genetics, use of make-up, nutrition, aging and various other factors. Heat exposure is also a common reason for this change in skin. More than 90% of all elderly people have some kind of skin disorder. Skin disorders can also be caused by many other underlying conditions: diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, obesity, stress and climate account for the loss of skin elasticity amongst many other factors. There is no cure for skin aging, however there are precautionary steps one can take to slow down the aging process, such as preventing sunburns, using sunscreen when outdoors, wearing protective clothes and a hat when outside in direct sunlight.

Tuberous Sclerosis:

Tuberous Sclerosis is a rare genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and other areas like the kidney, heart, eyes, lungs and skin. This disease is a result of alterations in the TSC1 or TSC2 gene. The TSC1 and TSC2 genes stop cells from growing at a rapid pace or uncontrollably. Tuberous Sclerosis causes the cells to divide in an abnormal manner, which leads to excessive lesions through the body. Symptoms include: seizures, developmental issues, behavioral problems, skin abnormalities, lung and kidney disease. There is no cure for the disease and no currently known factors for developing this disease other than genetics. Should parents have the disease themselves, there is a 50% chance the child may inherit the disease.

Werner Syndrome:

Werner Syndrome is a genetic condition associated with premature aging. Children who are born with this disorder will typically grow normally until they reach puberty. Youth with Werner Syndrome do not experience growth spurts. Generally, every cell has 2 genes, one inherited from the mother and the other from the father. People with this condition inherit a mutated gene from both the mother and father. Once Werner Syndrome patients reach their twenties, they experience rapid graying of the hair, hair loss, voice hoarseness, thinning and hardening of the skin. Other symptoms of this disease include eye cataracts, skin changes (wrinkles, aging, tight skin, pigment changes and skin ulcers), loss of muscle tone, short stature and early graying of the hair. It is estimated that 1 in 200,000 people in the United States have Werner Syndrome. The condition is more common in places like Japan, where there is an estimated 30,000 people living with the condition.